Celebrating Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne, a pioneer missionary of the Society of the Sacred Heart, who came to St. Charles, Missouri, from France and founded the first free school west of the Mississippi in September 1818.

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Book Celebrating Academy of the Sacred Heart History

Maryville University Alumni Director Erin Verry recently presented a check for $25,000 to the Academy of the Sacred Heart to underwrite Jane Shannon Cannon’s new book on the history of the Academy, Two Hundred Years: A Legacy of Love and Learning. The book was written in anticipation of the Academy's upcoming bicentennial celebration, and will be released later this summer. Jane Cannon is a former teacher, administrator and alumni director at the Academy, and a graduate of Maryville University.

The oldest free school west of the Mississippi, the Academy of the Sacred Heart was founded in September 1818 by St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, a Religious of the Sacred Heart from France. Maryville University was also founded by the Society of the Sacred Heart, in 1872, and continues to carry out the broad vision and mission of its founders.

Today, the Academy of the Sacred Heart educates and inspires the hearts and minds of children in grades PK–8 to become courageous and confident leaders who know and love God, and who reveal that love by serving others. The school is grateful to Maryville University for honoring their shared Sacred Heart heritage with this generous underwriting gift. For further information about the Academy or its bicentennial plans, go to www.ash1818.org.

Pictured: Maryville University presents a check for $25,000 to the Academy of the Sacred Heart to underwrite a soon-to-be-published book of Academy history. From left: Academy and Maryville alumna Jeanne Burke O'Fallon; Maryville University Alumni Director Erin Verry; author Jane Cannon; Academy Head of School Dr. Susan Dempf; former Head of School Sister Maureen Glavin, RSCJ.